October 15, 2024, 1:30 p.m.
Shiraz Daud, MD
While poor air quality is often associated with summer due to heat and smog, fall and winter can also pose challenges to air quality. Outside air quality can be just as bad, or sometimes even worse, during the colder months due to specific environmental conditions and human activities.
Fall and winter air quality challenges
During the colder months, several factors can negatively impact outdoor air quality. One primary concern is temperature inversions, where a layer of warmer air traps colder air near the ground, preventing pollutants like vehicle emissions and industrial fumes from dispersing. This leads to the accumulation of harmful substances, such as smoke from wood-burning stoves at ground level, resulting in poor air quality.
Additionally, the increased reliance on heating systems during winter, many of which burn fossil fuels, contributes to higher carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter emissions, further degrading air quality. Stagnant air conditions are also more prevalent in winter, particularly on calm, cold days. Without wind to disperse these pollutants, air quality can deteriorate, especially in urban areas with higher levels of emissions.
Recognizing the health impacts of poor air quality
Regarding outdoor air quality, there are several health concerns to monitor, especially for children. Respiratory issues are often more pronounced in this age group, especially those with asthma or other respiratory conditions, making them more sensitive to poor air quality. Parents should watch for signs such as breathing difficulties, coughing, wheezing or increased reliance on rescue inhalers.
In addition to respiratory concerns, poor air quality can irritate the eyes, throat and nose, leading to discomfort and potentially worsening allergies. Exposure to high levels of air pollution can also lead to symptoms like fatigue and headaches, even in otherwise healthy children.
Understanding air quality index colors
The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a tool used to communicate how polluted the air is or how polluted it is forecast to become. It's a color-coded system that helps you understand the health implications of air quality levels. Here's what the colors mean:
- Green (0-50): Good - Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
- Yellow (51-100): Moderate - Air quality is acceptable; however, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those unusually sensitive to air pollution.
- Orange (101-150): Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups - Members of sensitive groups (children, the elderly and people with respiratory or heart conditions) may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected.
- Red (151-200): Unhealthy - Everyone may begin to experience health effects, and members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
- Purple (201-300): Very Unhealthy - Health alert: Everyone may experience more serious health effects.
- Maroon (301-500): Hazardous - Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.
Tips for parents on managing air quality
Monitoring air quality can help protect your child's health, especially for those with respiratory conditions. One effective way to stay informed is by checking the AQI daily using a reliable app or website. This will allow you to adjust outdoor activities based on current air quality levels.
On days when the AQI falls within the orange or red range, it's advisable to limit outdoor activities, particularly for children, and consider indoor play options to minimize exposure to harmful pollutants. To further improve indoor air quality, using air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters can significantly reduce indoor pollutants, creating a healthier environment even when outdoor air quality is poor.
Finally, plan outdoor activities wisely. If the AQI is forecasted to be better in the morning or evening, aim to schedule outdoor time during those periods to reduce exposure to higher pollution levels.
In case of a medical emergency with a child, determine where the nearest accredited, Level I pediatric trauma center is located. St. Louis Children's Hospital has six pediatric emergency department locations across the St. Louis and southern Illinois region. These include: St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital at Memorial Hospital Belleville, Children’s Hospital at Memorial Hospital Shiloh, Children’s Hospital at Missouri Baptist Medical Center, Children’s Hospital at Northwest HealthCare and Children’s Hospital at Progress West Hospital.
Shiraz Daud, MD, is a pulmonologist at Missouri Baptist Medical Center, part of BJC HealthCare.
